σκεῦος (G4632) — Greek Lexicon

σκεῦος

skeûos

G4632 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

An object made or used for a specific purpose; generally, a vessel, container, or implement. The term can refer to anything from a household utensil (jar, dish, or pot), an article of personal or communal equipment, armaments (such as weapons or armor), or a general item of apparatus. In figurative contexts, it may be used of people as 'instruments' or 'agents' (e.g., a person serving as a means for a particular function), or idiomatically of the body as the 'vessel' or 'container' of the self. In some contexts, may refer specifically to a spouse (especially a wife) as an aid or partner.

Semantic Range

vessel (for liquids or solids), household utensil, container, tool, piece of equipment, armor or weapon, article of ritual use, instrument or agent (figurative of a person), body as vessel, spouse (in idiomatic sense), belongings, goods, sail (by metonymy in nautical context)

Root / Etymology

Root: σκευ-; the precise derivation is uncertain but related to words denoting 'to prepare' or 'to equip.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, σκεῦος primarily denotes a movable article, tool, or implement used in daily life, including domestic vessels and equipment. The word maintains this broad meaning in Hellenistic and Koine Greek, including the Septuagint, where it is frequently used for ritual utensils of the Temple, sacred vessels, or general implements (e.g., Genesis 24:53, Exodus 25:39). In military contexts, σκεῦος can denote weapons or armor. In the New Testament, the term is likewise broad, referring to household containers (Matthew 13:48), objects for honorable or dishonorable use (Romans 9:21), personal belongings (Acts 9:15 in a metaphorical sense: 'chosen instrument'), or the body as a 'vessel' (1 Thessalonians 4:4, possibly referring to one's own spouse or to the body as the seat of purity). English translations often render the term narrowly as 'vessel' or 'goods,' but this may obscure its broader reference to any kind of equipment, tool, or even person as a 'means' or 'functionary.'

Translation Consistency

primary "vessel" 23 occurrences

'Vessel' best fits the typical and widest range of σκεῦος: a container or utensil for liquids/solids and a figurative container (person, body, instrument). It is the most common P2 rendering, is natural English, and accommodates both literal and figurative uses better than alternatives like 'implement' or 'container.'

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain affinity; a vessel, implement, equipment or apparatus (literally or figuratively [specially, a wife as contributing to the usefulness of the husband]):--goods, sail, stuff, vessel.

Root Family

σκεῦος (skeuos) — container, implement, equipment, vessel

Root σκευ- container, implement, equipment, vessel

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G4632-04`	σκεῦος	skeuos	`N ACC N SG`	vessel	a vessel	a vessel	12
`G4632-01`	σκεύη	skeue	`N ACC N PL`	vessels	implements	vessels	8
`G4632-02`	σκεύει	skeuei	`N DAT N SG`	with a vessel	to/for a vessel	to/for a vessel	2
`G4632-03`	σκεύεσιν	skeuesin	`N DAT N PL`	vessels	to vessels	vessels	1

Occurrences in Scripture

23 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G4632-01`	Matthew 12:29	σκεύη	skeue	`N ACC N PL`	goods	implements	vessels
`G4632-01`	Mark 3:27	σκεύη	skeue	`N ACC N PL`	goods	implements	vessels
`G4632-04`	Mark 11:16	σκεῦος	skeuos	`N ACC N SG`	vessel	a vessel	a vessel
`G4632-02`	Luke 8:16	σκεύει	skeuei	`N DAT N SG`	with a vessel	to/for a vessel	with a vessel
`G4632-01`	Luke 17:31	σκεύη	skeue	`N NOM N PL`	stuff	implements	vessels
`G4632-04`	John 19:29	σκεῦος	skeuos	`N NOM N SG`	vessel	a vessel	a vessel
`G4632-04`	Acts 9:15	σκεῦος	skeuos	`N NOM N SG`	vessel	a vessel	a vessel
`G4632-04`	Acts 10:11	σκεῦός	skeuos	`N ACC N SG`	vessel	a vessel	a vessel
`G4632-04`	Acts 10:16	σκεῦος	skeuos	`N NOM N SG`	vessel	a vessel	vessel
`G4632-04`	Acts 11:5	σκεῦός	skeuos	`N ACC N SG`	vessel	a vessel	a vessel
`G4632-04`	Acts 27:17	σκεῦος	skeuos	`N ACC N SG`	gear	a vessel	a vessel
`G4632-04`	Romans 9:21	σκεῦος	skeuos	`N ACC N SG`	vessel	a vessel	vessel
`G4632-01`	Romans 9:22	σκεύη	skeue	`N ACC N PL`	vessels	implements	vessels
`G4632-01`	Romans 9:23	σκεύη	skeue	`N ACC N PL`	vessels	implements	vessels
`G4632-03`	2 Corinthians 4:7	σκεύεσιν	skeuesin	`N DAT N PL`	vessels	to vessels	vessels
`G4632-04`	1 Thessalonians 4:4	σκεῦος	skeuos	`N ACC N SG`	vessel	a vessel	vessel
`G4632-01`	2 Timothy 2:20	σκεύη	skeue	`N NOM N PL`	vessels	implements	vessels
`G4632-04`	2 Timothy 2:21	σκεῦος	skeuos	`N NOM N SG`	vessel	a vessel	a vessel
`G4632-01`	Hebrews 9:21	σκεύη	skeue	`N ACC N PL`	vessels	implements	vessels
`G4632-02`	1 Peter 3:7	σκεύει	skeuei	`N DAT N SG`	vessel	to/for a vessel	to/for a vessel
`G4632-01`	Revelation 2:27	σκεύη	skeue	`N NOM N PL`	vessels	implements	vessels
`G4632-04`	Revelation 18:12	σκεῦος	skeuos	`N ACC N SG`	article	a vessel	a vessel
`G4632-04`	Revelation 18:12	σκεῦος	skeuos-2	`N ACC N SG`	article	a vessel	a vessel

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